JACKSON – The State Board of Education is poised to approve a recommendation to move the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science to Mississippi State University, pending legislative approval.
A subcommittee of the State Board of Education on Wednesday voted to recommend the board consider a proposal to move the residential high school from Mississippi University for Women, where it has been located since its inception in 1987. The vote was taken during a virtual subcommittee meeting.
The board will consider that proposal during its 10 a.m. regular meeting Thursday, which will be livestreamed online. After that, a recommendation will be made to the legislature. Any changes the state prescribes would go into effect in the 2026-2027 school year.
In early February, the State Board of Education requested both MUW and MSU submit proposals to house and operate the school as it expands. During its Feb. 20 meeting, the board then appointed the MSMS subcommittee to review and rate the proposals.
MUW proposed building a new $35 million residence hall for the high school as well as expanded academic offerings. MSU proposed an entirely new, expanded MSMS campus on the north edge of its campus, sharing the property with a new Starkville High School and the Partnership Middle School. The MSMS:E facilities on the campus would require $85 million in state funding in addition to up to $87 million from Starkville and Oktibbeha County taxpayers, according to the proposal.
This is a developing story, and we will be updating it throughout the day.
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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